Liberty Pacific Medical Imaging (LPMI), a developer, owner and operator of diagnostic imaging centers, announced today the opening of its latest outpatient diagnostic imaging center in Castro Valley. This marks the company's fourth location in California.

The new 7,500-square foot, state-of-the-art imaging facility, which operates as Castro Valley Advanced Medical Imaging, is located at 21030 Redwood Road in Castro Valley. The center will primarily serve patients residing in California's East Bay-area communities, including those in Berkeley, Hayward, Union City, Pleasanton, Fremont, Dublin and Danville as well as surrounding areas.

Castro Valley Advanced Medical Imaging features the latest in cutting-edge imaging technologies including a GE Signa Excite 3.0 Tesla High Definition MRI; a GE 32-slice VCT LightSpeed scanner; and a GE Digital 74 Kilowatt Silhouette X-Ray unit. All of these are offered in a comfortable, relaxing, spa-like setting, aimed at maximizing patient comfort and care.

The 3T is the next generation high-field magnetic resonance scanner and provides the best image quality available in the marketplace today. High-density imaging provides clearer views and faster scan times. In addition to scanning significantly faster than other units used today, the 3T also has the ability to perform a range of diverse scan types. Any exam, from neuro, musculoskeletal and abdominal imaging to functional and cardiac studies, contrast-enhanced angiography and spectroscopic imaging, can be completed more efficiently and quickly using a 3T. Additionally, the unit offers clinical versatility and customization capabilities that are tailored to meet a center's specific needs.

The GE 32-multi-slice CT is one of the most potent tools for the early detection, diagnosis and staging of cancer and heart disease and is being embraced widely in the general radiology arena. The VCT LightSpeed series of scanners that LPMI has installed combines superior resolution with outstanding coverage, making the imaging of difficult patients or procedures easier and more routine. By collecting massive volumes of data, the scanner can detect the smallest anatomy allowing the physician to view these images in a superior 3-D format. This breakthrough is changing the way cardiologists and other medical specialists utilize diagnostic imaging.

Concurrent with the opening of the new Castro Valley center, LPMI named Katherine Snider to the post of center manager. Snider will be responsible for overseeing center operations. She brings more than 10 years of related experience to Castro Valley Advanced Medical Imaging.

Castro Valley Advanced Medical Imaging has entered into a partnership agreement with Bay Imaging Consultants Medical Group, a local radiology group that will read the studies performed at the center. Bay Imaging Consultants Medical Group is headed by Dr. Jimmy Cardoza, who serves as medical director.